The ark contains fourteen panels. Panels one through ten tell the story of the Torah and the development of Judaism.  Click on any of the photographs for an enlarged version.

Panel 1 displays the Ten Commandments, representing the beginning of Jewish life in the Exodus and the revelation at Sinai. "All that the Lord hath spoken will we do, and obey." (Exodus 24:7)

Panel 2 shows Israel's first covenant with God as represented by the priestly hands "Hate the evil and love the good and establish justice in the gate." (Amos 5:15). Panels one and two together represent the Biblical tradition.

Panel 3 The rabbis tell us that there are three crowns: the crown of the king, of the priesthood and of the Torah, "but the crown of the Torah is greater than all of them."

Panel 4 has a variety of letters showing the difference and likeness of Judaism and the Greek and Roman world. Jewish thinkers remembered David's charge to Solomon: "Know thou the God of thy fathers."  (I Chronicles 28:9)

Panel  5 represents the Golden Age of Spain. The greatest post-Biblical flowering of poetry and song was found during this period, as represented by David's harp. "Sing unto the Lord a new song." (Isaiah 42:10)

Panel 6 represents the mystic tradition. The diagram is the Kabbalistic (mystical) design of the emanations of God, including: Wisdom, Intelligence, Mercy, Judgement, Strength, Victory, and Glory. The words explain the hope for mystic unity. "The Holy One, blessed be He, Torah and Israel are one."

Panel 7 has words on this panel which come from the motto of one of the great movements in the Hassidic tradition: "Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge."

Panel 8 reminds us of the last great work in this tradition: Franz Rosenzweig's, The Star of Redemption which ends with the words "To Life."

Panel 9 helps us remember the pioneer, who with plow and builder's triangle redeemed the desert land of Israel, represented by the star of David. The words are those of Theodore Herzl, "If you will it, it is no legend."

Panel 10 The boat on this panel reminds us that we are all immigrants and in our 20th century America, have become migrants. "See ye the peace of the city." (Jeremiah 29:7)

Panels 11 and 12 At the very top of the Ark are the first words of the Ten Commandments, "I."   At the very bottom of the Ark is the last words of the Ten Commandments, "Your neighbor," which is the true reminder of Judaism's social ethic.

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